About the thing with selling gem bear spleens, there actually is another place to sell them that isn't listed, there's this one drunkard in the Blackroot tavern in high-guard zone that buys most misc. items, the price isn't to great compared to what I've heard the merchant buys them for, but it's a closer place to sell them. That's how i get rid of mine anyway.
I just got one shard though, I need four more, and I'm lazy enough to try other methods. Is there anything anybody is willing to trade for them?
I have good luck with getting drops from bosses and also got a 'scroll of fire ward' (rare) from the scrollsmith which gives about 33% damage protection from fire attacks, but expels any other fire defense buffs from you, luckily it takes up a slot that's hardly used so it's pretty good for fire areas. Please tell me if you're willing to trade an ancient shard or two for it, the materials are easy enough for me to get, so higher level characters can get the items more easily than me.
I also have a mage's staff of serpents which can turn into any random reptile based enemy for 3 min. on your side, with unlimited uses, I got it from grinding the Medusa's aide boss while trying to get the deep venomous fangs for the high-guard zone serpentine quest chain.